The Very Reverend J. Augustine DiNoia, O.P. is one of America's most active and respected theological minds. In April 2002, the Pope John Paul II appointed Father DiNoia to work at the Vatican as undersecretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican. The congregation oversees and promotes the doctrine on the faith and morals in the Catholic world. Until 2005, Father DiNoia served under Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

Raised in New York, DiNoia is a member of the Province of St. Joseph of the Dominican friars. He earned a doctorate from Yale University in 1980. The Order of Friars Preachers granted him the master of sacred theology (S.T.M.) in 1998.

A gifted writer and public speaker, Father DiNoia is the author of The Diversity of Religions: A Christian Perspective (Catholic University of America Press, 1992) and the co-author of The Love That Never Ends: A Key to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Our Sunday Visitor Press, 1996).

Father DiNoia taught systematic theology at the Dominican House of Studies and was an adjunct professor at the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Studies, both in Washington. He served as executive director of the Secretariat for Doctrine and Pastoral Practices for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

About the author

Paul A. Zalonski is from New Haven, CT. After years of study, work and trying to find meaning in life, he still has a sense of humor. He is a member of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation, a Catholic lay ecclesial movement and an Oblate of Saint Benedict. Contact Paul at paulzalonski[at]yahoo.com.